AIDS Memorial Quilt Workshops
Overview
Initiated in 2022, the New York City AIDS Memorial partnered with the National AIDS Memorial to present an ongoing series of free, public, artist-led Community Quilt-Making Workshops. Launched at the Whitney Museum of American Art to mark the 35th anniversary of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and continuing across subsequent years at the School of Visual Arts and Poster House, the workshops bring together artists, designers, activists, and community members alongside Quilt co-founder and conservator Gert McMullin. Supported by design studio Maharam, the initiative fosters cross-generational dialogue while honoring the original intention of the activists who first conceived the Quilt—to inform, share, and build community.
Project Context & Curatorial Role
As Producer, I oversaw the organization, artist invitations, institutional partnerships, and event execution across all three iterations of the workshop series in New York City.
The workshops provide a space for participants to learn traditional and contemporary textile techniques while reflecting on the legacy of the AIDS Memorial Quilt as an ongoing, living archive of loss, memory, and activism.
Realized in partnership with the National AIDS Memorial and supported by Maharam, the series activated major NYC cultural institutions—spanning the Whitney Museum of American Art (2022), the School of Visual Arts (2025), and Poster House (2026)—inviting over 150 artists, volunteers, and community members to contribute to the collective artmaking tradition.
Role: Producer
Date: October 14 & 15, 2022; March 29 & 30, 2025; April 25 & 26, 2026
Location: Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY (2022); School of Visual Arts (2025); Poster House (2026)
Participating Artists (2022): Polly Apfelbaum, Chris Bogia, Travis Boyer, Justin Chance, Stephanie Crawford, Poppy DeltaDawn, Daniele Frazier, Peter Hristoff, Anthony Iacono, Caitlin Keogh, Mike Linskie, Reverend Joyce McDonald, Sophy Naess, Jordan Nassar, Jessi Reaves, Elaine Reichek, Tuesday Smillie, Tabboo!, Alessandro Teoldi; Participating Artists (2025): Daniele Frazier, Marley Freeman, Nelson Santos, Jamie Nares, Erika DeVries; Lead Artist (2026), Erika DeVries
